1
2
a
: a barred frame for cooking over a fire
b
: a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire
c
grated; grating
: to furnish with a grate
the lower windows were grated
grated; grating
1
: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough
grate cheese
3
a
: to gnash or grind noisily
b
: to cause to make a rasping sound
c
: to utter in a harsh voice
4
archaic
: abrade
1
: to rub or rasp noisily
metal grating against metal
2
: to cause irritation : jar
a voice that grates on the nerves
grater
noun
Synonyms
Examples of grate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
Cook chicken from a cold oven; grate ginger with the skin on; always use a discard bowl.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate 
Noun
Her stoic steadiness throughout grates at Phyllis’ overbearing disposition and sets up the perfect tension for the mother and daughter’s fraught relationship.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
Cook chicken from a cold oven; grate ginger with the skin on; always use a discard bowl.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near grate
Cite this Entry
“Grate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grate. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grate
1 of 2 noun1
2
: a frame of iron bars for holding burning fuel (as in a fireplace)
grate
2 of 2 verb
grated; grating
1
: to make into small particles by rubbing against something rough
grate cheese
2
: to grind or rub against something with a scratching noise
3
: to have a harsh or irritating effect
grater
noun
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